Zamalek’s attempts to meet Sundowns in 80‚000-seater blocked by Egypt government

Zamalek soccer club’s hopes of getting a massive crowd to back their bid to win the African Champions League has been stymied by their own government.

The Cairo club were seeking to host the return match of the final against Mamelodi Sundowns at the cavernous Cairo International Stadium‚ which can hold up to 80‚000 spectators.

But security fears in Egypt have seen that request denied and instead Zamalek must play their game against Sundowns on Sunday‚ October 23 at the Borg El Arab stadium in Alexandria.

This will follow on the first leg in Atteridgeville‚ Pretoria‚ on Saturday‚ October 15‚ the Confederation of African Football confirmed on Friday.

The crowd size is to be restricted to around 20‚000 and the 8pm kick off will deter many of their fans from travelling up from Cairo for the match. The ancient port city of Alexandria is some 200km north of the capital.

Playing on Sunday means Sundowns will only be able to depart Egypt on Tuesday‚ October 25‚ which will likely see their scheduled league match against Highlands Park the next day postponed.

Sundowns had been hoping for a Saturday kick-off which would have allowed them to return home the next day.

The club were only informed of the arrangements for the second leg on Thursday afternoon and have been scrambling to finalise their bookings for the trip.